Alice dropped the broom in a fit of laughter, doubling over. She clapped Jamie hard on the back, causing her to choke on the breath she was in midst of inhaling. After recovering, Jamie giggled softly, obviously proud of her joke.

Righting herself, Alice shook her head at the younger girl. “You are one kooky chick.”

With a knowing glance at Tina, Jamie replied, “I could say the same thing about you.”

The caf was brightly filled to the brim with school kids taking a detour before heading home. The ratty old milkshake maker had just been replaced with a new one, allowing Tina to dish out shakes faster than before. Martha’s cheque book was whipped out and scribbled on without a second thought. Getting horny, unpredictable teenagers out of her caf as quickly as possible was becoming her number one priority. Jamie slid her school bag about ten metres to rest just inside the kitchen door, also ripping an apron off the hanger in one swift move.

“I am so going again. Like, soon!” Jamie tied the apron behind her back and called out to Tina. “Shoulda been there T! It was a mad night.”

She didn’t look up from the chocolate milkshake in front of her. It was completely unbelievable that Jamie had become so close with Alice in only a week, especially after her prejudice comments about Alice‘s clothing. Jamie’s friendly but not that friendly. “Well you two knew I was opening the next day. Why did you decide to do this on a weekday? How did you even make it through school?”

As if on cue, a pimply kid sucking on a freshly Tina-made milkshake yodelled Jamie’s name. “How awesome was Arcade last night?”

“I-know-did-you-hear-Catrina-made-a-complete-dipstick-of-herself-on-the-dance-floor-oh-how-good-is- that-I-Should-Be-So-Lucky-song-oh-my-god-Carson-and-Hayley-were-making-out-in-the-bathroom-it-was-crazy!”

Having retrieved her broom, Alice chuckled, “Jamie, there isn’t any oxygen shortage you know. Take a breath already!”

The last milkshake was thrown into the direction of the ravenous, rambunctious teens who slurped it up without a word. Money exchanged hands furiously while Tina stood patiently for a second. As they clambered over the stools and booths towards the door, liquid trophies in hand, a trail of milky destruction was all that remained. Tina sighed, “You’re welcome,” and followed behind with a sad looking mop. “So did you fall asleep in class James?”